Field device for a safety-critical application with redundant measuring channels in an FPGA

ABSTRACT

A field device to determine or monitor a process variable in automation technology The field device meets a safety standard that is required in a given safety-critical application, with a sensor working according to a defined measuring principle, and a control/evaluation unit that processes and evaluates the measuring data delivered by the sensor in uninterrupted sensor measuring mode along at least three redundantly and/or diversely designed measuring channels. The control/evaluation unit has at least two redundant reconfiguration controls assigned to it, and with one of the two redundant reconfiguration controls dynamically or partially dynamically reconfiguring the faulty measuring channel in case of a malfunction in one of the measuring channels.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention concerns a field device for determining or monitoring aprocess variable in automation technology, with the field devicesatisfying a safety standard that is required in a set safety-criticalapplication, with a sensor working according to a defined measuringprinciple and a control/evaluation unit that processes and evaluates themeasuring data provided by the sensor along at least three redundantand/or diversely organized measuring channels in measuring mode. Acorresponding solution is known from published international patentapplication WO 2004/013585 A1.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

In automation technology, especially in process automation technology,field devices are used that serve to determine and monitor processvariables. Examples of such field devices are fill level meters, flowmeters, analytical meters, pressure and temperature meters, humidity andconductivity meters, and density and viscosity meters. The sensors insuch field devices capture the relevant process variables, e.g. the filllevel, flow, pH value, substance concentration, pressure, temperature,humidity, conductivity, density or viscosity.

The term “field devices” in the scope of this invention also includesactuators, e.g. valves or pumps, which for example serve to modify theflow of a liquid in a pipe, or the fill level in a container. Thecompany group Endress+Hauser offers and distributes a large variety ofsuch field devices.

Generally, field devices in modern automation technology plants arelinked to a higher-level unit via communication networks such as HARTmultidrop, point-to-point connections, Profibus, and FoundationFieldbus, the higher-level unit being referred to as control systems orcontrol centers. This higher-level unit is used for process control,process visualization, process monitoring and for start-up and operationof the field devices. Additional components needed for the operation offieldbus systems that are directly connected to a fieldbus and are inparticular used for communication with the higher-level units are alsooften referred to as field devices. Such additional components usuallyare e.g. remote I/Os, gateways, linking devices, controllers or wirelessadapters.

Depending on the application, the field devices must meet very differentsafety requirements. In order to meet the respective safetyrequirements, e.g. IEC61508 (SIL (safety integrity level) standard), thefield devices must be designed redundantly and/or diversely.

Redundancy means increased safety due to the double or multiple designof any safety-relevant hardware and software components. Diversity meansthat the hardware components, e.g. a micro-processor, used for thevarious measuring channels are made by different manufacturers and/orare of a different type. For software components, diversity requiresthat the software saved in the micro-processors comes from differentsources, i.e. from different manufacturers and/or programmers. All thosemeasures are designed to ensure that a safety-critical failure of thefield devices as well as simultaneously-occurring systematic errors inthe provision of measuring values is excluded with a high probability.

One example of a safety-relevant application is the fill level controlin a tank which contains a flammable or a non-flammable butwater-polluting substance. In such a case, it must be ensured that thefeeding of liquid into the tank is immediately interrupted as soon asthe maximum acceptable fill level is reached. This in turn requires thatthe measuring device detects the fill level with a high level ofreliability and works without errors.

For the solutions already known, the measuring channel is designedredundantly and/or diversely, but the voter, usually a micro-processor,represents the Achilles heel of a field device that is to satisfy highand maximum safety requirements. The micro-processor is designedmonolithically. If any dangerous error (according to the nomenclature ofthe above-mentioned standards) occurs, the field device fails. In orderto satisfy the requirements of SIL 3, the percentage of dangerous errorsof the total of all possible errors may reach a maximum of one percent.This safety level cannot be reached using a traditional micro-processor.

In order to solve this problem, a field device is described in DE102012106 652.3 (published international application WO 2014/124792 A1),whose voter is designed as a majority voter and comprises three stages:

-   -   a comparator stage which compares the output signals provided by        the individual measuring channels;    -   an error recognition stage which recognizes errors occurring in        a measuring channel by suitably linking the output signals from        the comparator stage, and    -   an output selection stage.

The content of DE 10 2012 106 652.3 (WO 2014/124792 A1), especially withregard to its reference to the voter, is to be considered included inthe subject matter disclosed within this present patent application.Furthermore, WO 2014/124792 A1, DE 10 2013 100159.9, discloses a fielddevice that satisfied the high safety levels even in the area of thecurrent output module, e.g. in a 4-20 mA two or four wire field device.The corresponding disclosed content should also be considered part ofthe content of this patent application.

If a malfunction in one of the measuring channels occurs, such amalfunction is rectified by a reconfiguration control that reconfiguresthe faulty measuring channel. However, if the malfunction occurs in thereconfiguration control itself, correct reconfiguration processes can nolonger be ensured once a malfunction occurs in one of the measuringchannels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of providing a field device that ischaracterized by improved functional safety.

This object is achieved by assigning at least two redundantreconfiguration controls to the control/evaluation unit of the fielddevice according to the invention, with one of the two redundantreconfiguration controls reconfiguring the faulty measuring channeldynamically or partially dynamically if a malfunction occurs in one ofthe measuring channels. The solution according to the inventionincreases the functional safety of the field device, especially if themeasuring channels and the voter are designed redundantly and/ordiversely in addition to the reconfiguration controls. As mentionedbefore, the safe voter has been described in DE 10 2012 106 652.3, (WO2014/124792 A1).

In an advantageous embodiment of the field device according to theinvention, two digital measuring channels and the two reconfigurationcontrols are arranged on a dynamically reconfigurable FPGA chip thatconsists of a plurality of configurable logic blocks, so-calledCLB—configurable logic blocks—which are arranged in a mainlyright-angled matrix consisting of columns and rows. This structure ofthe FPGA chip is allocated by the manufacturer.

If the FPGA chip is designed in such a way that the smallestconfigurable or reconfigurable unit are the configurable logic blocksarranged in one column, the configurable logic blocks arranged in onecolumn may only be reconfigured together. One example of an FPGA chipwith such a design is the Spartan 3E FPGA.

Furthermore, provision is made in the context of the field deviceaccording to the invention for the configurable logic blocks of the FPGAto be subdivided into four sub-groups that are mainly arrangedsymmetrically relative to each other, with two digital measuringchannels arranged in the first sub-area and in the second sub-area, andwith the two redundant reconfiguration controls arranged in the thirdsub-area and in the fourth sub-area. Together with this preferredarrangement, each column thus contains both logic blocks that areassigned to one of the digital measuring channels, and logic blocks thatare assigned to one of the reconfiguration controls.

Consequently, the first sub-area with the first digital measuringchannel and the third sub-area with the first reconfiguration controlmay only be configured or reconfigured together. Similarly, the secondsub-area with the second digital measuring channel and the fourthsub-area with the second reconfiguration control may only be configuredor reconfigured together.

One preferred embodiment of the field device according to the inventionis constructed in such a way that, in case of a malfunction in one ofthe two digital measuring channels, the control/evaluation unit isdesigned such that the reconfiguration control that is assigned to themeasurement channel that is working correctly will take over thereconfiguration of the faulty measuring channel and the associatedreconfiguration control.

The preferred arrangement of the sub-areas allows for a mutualmonitoring of the two redundant reconfiguration controls.

According to an advantageous further development of the field deviceaccording to the invention, there is a third measuring channel which isconfigured in an FPAA on an analog basis, with the third measuringchannel being reconfigured via one of the two redundant reconfigurationcontrols if a malfunction occurs.

It is especially advantageous in connection with the field deviceaccording to the invention if the first reconfiguration control isallocated a first memory unit and the second reconfiguration control asecond memory unit. In this case, at least the reconfiguration data ofthe second measuring channel and the second reconfiguration control aresaved in the memory unit allocated to the first reconfiguration control,while the second memory unit allocated to the second reconfigurationcontrol saves at least the reconfiguration data of the first measuringchannel and the first reconfiguration control.

This design allows each of the two reconfiguration controls to executetwo diagnostic functions. The two diagnostic functions ensure that thereconfiguration process is completed correctly and with the high safetylevel required. In the following, the two diagnostic functions areexplained in more detail:

-   -   a) In the first diagnostic function, each of the two        reconfiguration controls executes a CRC check of the memory unit        assigned to the other reconfiguration control. The memory unit        is preferably a flash memory unit in which the reconfiguration        data are saved.    -   b) Each reconfiguration control monitors the correct execution        of the reconfiguration process executed by the other        reconfiguration control. For this purpose, the configuration        data of the respective sub-areas on the FPGA chip and, if        applicable, the FPAA are read back and compared to the        corresponding saved reconfiguration data in the memory unit        assigned to the reconfiguration control that is not        reconfigured. The FPGA chips SPARTAN 3E and ANADIGM Vortex        AN221E04 have, for example, such a read-back function. The        diagnostic function described above is preferably executed after        every reconfiguration process—i.e., event-driven.

It is self-evident that the diagnosis may also be executed in setregular or irregular intervals. If the check has a negative result, themonitoring function initiates another reconfiguration of the sub-areasthat have been incorrectly configured. Alternatively, an alarm may betriggered.

In addition, it is proposed that there are reconfiguration data of thethird measuring channel saved in both memory units, the third measuringchannel preferably being configured on an analog basis in one or moreFPAAs. For example, four FPAAs are used for measuring channel MK3. Thisallows both reconfiguration controls to reconfigure the analog-basedmeasuring channel in case of a malfunction.

In order to comply with a set safety standard—especially in this casethe standard IEC61508—it is proposed to space the individual sub-areasof the FPGA from each other by at least one prohibited area in such away that a change in the temperature and/or voltage in a sub-area doesnot have any safety-critical influence on one of the neighboringsub-areas.

One advantageous embodiment of the field device according to theinvention is that the reconfiguration controls check in set orevent-driven intervals in measuring mode whether the reconfigurationdata saved in the respective memory units correspond to the currentconfiguration data used for the configuration of the respectivesub-areas. In addition in measuring mode, each reconfiguration controlchecks in set or event-driven intervals whether the reconfiguration datasaved in the memory unit assigned to the respective otherreconfiguration control are correct.

In one advantageous embodiment of the field device according to theinvention, the FPGA and the FPAA each have one configuration interfaceassigned to them which allows for the reconfiguration of the respectivesub-areas of the FPGA and/or at least one FPAA in case of a malfunction.In this context, a control unit is furthermore provided to allow thereconfiguration control to access the configuration interface(s) of theFPGA and/or the FPAA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further explained with reference to the followingfigures. In the figures:

FIG. 1: shows a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment ofthe control/evaluation unit of the field device according to theinvention: and

FIG. 2: shows a preferred embodiment of the FPGA on which thecontrol/evaluation unit of the field device according to the inventionis arranged.

DETAILED DISCUSSION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of thecontrol/evaluation unit 9 of the field device according to theinvention. The field device consists of a sensor S and acontrol/evaluation unit 9. The control/evaluation unit 9 has threeredundant and/or diverse measuring channels MK1, MK2, MK3 used toprocess and evaluate the measuring data provided by the sensor inmeasuring mode. The portrayed case shows the first measuring channel MK1and the second measuring channel MK2 realized as digital measuringchannels MK1, MK2 on an FPGA chip FPGA, while the third measuringchannel MK3 is an analog measuring channel FPAA. At least two redundantreconfiguration controls RS are assigned to the control/evaluation unit9, with one of the two redundant reconfiguration controls RSreconfiguring a faulty measuring channel MK dynamically or partiallydynamically if a malfunction occurs in one of the measuring channels MK.

The control/evaluation unit 9 has a safe voter assigned to it asdescribed in the above-mentioned (WO 2014/124792 A1) DE 10 2012 106652.3. There are two basic options of implementing a safe voter in afield device that is to comply with a given safety standard: Either thesafe voter is at least partially integrated into control/evaluation unit9, or the safe voter is an integral part of a safe current output moduleas described in the above-mentioned DE 10 2013 100159.9 (WO 2014/124792A1).

FIG. 1 illustrates a case in which the safe voter is implemented in thecontrol/evaluation unit 9 with at least individual components of thesafe voter directly integrated in the measuring channels MK1, MK2, MK3.Each measuring channel MK1, MK2, MK3 in particular contains twocomparators K that compare the output signals 1, 2, 3 of the individualredundant and/or diverse measuring channels MK1, MK2, MK3 with eachother. The output signals 3 used for the comparison via the comparatorsK are analog output signals 3 which are forwarded to the current outputmodule not separately represented in FIG. 1. If the digital outputsignals 1, 2 are from the digital measuring channels MK1, MK2, they aregenerated by a pulse width modulator PMW, filtered by a low-pass filterTP and forwarded to the current output module not separatelyrepresented. The output signals 3 of the analog measuring channel MK3are already available in analog form, thus eliminating the need forconversion. The analog output signals 1, 2, 3 are digitalized viainternal or external analog-to-digital converters ADCs and passed on asdigital output signals 1D, 2D, 3D to the comparators K of the first andsecond measuring channels MK1, MK2.

The output signals 1, 2, 3 of the comparators K are passed on to theerror recognition stages FK. While the error recognition stages FK1, FK2are integrated into the respective measuring channels MK1, MK2, theerror recognition stage FK3 of the analog measuring channel MK3 ispositioned outside the FPAA. The reason for this arrangement is that anAND gate cannot be integrated into the FPAA. There are always two errorrecognition stages FK assigned to each of the measuring channels MK1,MK2, MK3. One of the error recognition stages FK always monitors theoutput signals of the comparators K assigned to the respective measuringchannel MK while the other error recognition stage FK monitors thecomparators K of the two other measuring channels MK.

The simply designed selection stage assigned to the safe voter and notseparately represented in FIG. 1 is also arranged outside the FPGA chipFPGA since it belongs to each of the measuring channels MK. Please referto DE 102012106652.3 (WO 2014/124792 A1) for more information about theselection stage.

If a malfunction is detected in one of the measuring channels MK or inone of the reconfiguration controls RS, this information is passed on tothe correctly working reconfiguration control RS which proceeds toreconfigure the malfunctioning sub-areas 8.

For the following discussions, it is useful to include therepresentation of the FPGA chip FPGA in FIG. 2 in addition to therepresentation in FIG. 1: According to the invention, at least twodigital measuring channels MK1, MK2 and the two redundantreconfiguration controls RS1, RS2 are arranged on a dynamicallyreconfigurable FPGA chip FPGA. The first digital measuring channel MK1has a DSP allocated to it, while the second digital measuring channelMK2 has a micro-controller allocated to it. The FPGA chip FPGA consistsof a plurality of configurable logic blocks CLB. Such configurable logicblocks CLB are arranged in a mainly right-angled matrix consisting ofthe columns SP and rows ZE.

The FPGA chip FPGA is designed in such a manner that the smallestconfigurable and reconfigurable unit are the configurable logic blocksCLB arranged in one column SP. The configurable logic blocks CLB of theFPGA chip FPGA are divided into four sub-groups 3 which are mainlysymmetrical to each other. There are two digital measuring channels MK1,MK2 arranged in the first sub-area 8.1 and the second sub-area 8.2,while the two reconfiguration controls RS1, RS2 are arranged in thethird sub-area 8.3 and the fourth sub-area 8.4. The individual sub-areas8 of the FPGA chip FPGA are spaced from each other by a prohibited area5 in such a way that a change in the temperature and/or voltage in asub-area 8 does/do not have any safety-critical influence on one of theneighboring sub-areas 8.

Due to this preferred arrangement and due to the fact that thereconfiguration of the configurable logic blocks CLB is only possible incolumns, the first sub-area 8.1 can only be reconfigured together withthe first digital measuring channel MK1, and the third sub-area 8.3together with the first reconfiguration control RS1. At the same time,both sub-areas 8.2, 8.4 may only be reconfigured together if amalfunction occurs in the second sub-area 8.2 with the second measuringchannel MK2 or in the fourth sub-area 8.4 with the secondreconfiguration control RS2.

If a malfunction occurs in one of the two digital measuring channelsMK1, MK2, the respective reconfiguration control RS1; RS2 allocated tothe correctly working measuring channel MK1; MK2 proceeds to reconfigurethe faulty measuring channel MK1; MK2 and the associated reconfigurationcontrol RS1; RS2. If the malfunction occurs in the third measuringchannel MK3 which is configured in the case illustrated on an analogbasis in one or more—preferably four—FPAAs, the dynamic or the dynamicpartial reconfiguration is taken over by one of the two redundantreconfiguration controls RS1, RS2. The configuration interface 7allocated to the FPGA chip FPGA is used to reconfigure the respectivesub-areas 8 of the FPGA chip FPGA if a malfunction occurs. In case of amalfunction in the FPAA, access of the reconfiguration control RS iseffected via the configuration interface 6. Access of thereconfiguration controls RS1, RS2 to the reconfiguration interfaces 6, 7is controlled by a control that is an integral part of the respectivereconfiguration controls RS1, RS2. During access of a reconfigurationcontrol RS1, RS2 to the reconfiguration interface 6, 7, access isblocked for the respective other reconfiguration control RS1, RS2.

For safety by redundancy, the first reconfiguration control RS1 has afirst memory unit 4.1 allocated to it, and the second reconfigurationcontrol RS2 has a second memory unit 4.2 allocated to it. The firstmemory unit 4.1 allocated to the first reconfiguration control RS1 savesat least the reconfiguration data of the second measuring channel MK2and the second reconfiguration control RS2. Furthermore, thereconfiguration data of the analog-based measuring channel MK3 is savedhere. The second memory unit 4.2 allocated to the second reconfigurationcontrol RS2 saves at least the reconfiguration data of the firstmeasuring channel MK1 and the first reconfiguration control RS1. Thereconfiguration data of the third measuring channel MK3 is saved here aswell.

According to a first diagnostic function, the reconfiguration controlsRS check during normal measuring mode in set or event-driven intervalswhether the reconfiguration data saved in the associated memory units 4correspond to the current configuration data used for the configurationof the respective sub-areas 8. In case of deviations, the faulty areasare reconfigured.

According to a second diagnostic function, each of the two redundantreconfiguration controls RS are checked in set or event-driven intervalsin measuring mode. In particular, it is monitored whether thereconfiguration data saved in the memory unit 4 assigned to therespective other reconfiguration control RS is correct.

-   -   a) In the first diagnostic function, each of the two        reconfiguration controls executes a CRC check of the memory unit        assigned to the other reconfiguration control.    -   b) The second diagnostic function ensures that each        reconfiguration control RS monitors the correct execution of the        reconfiguration process executed by the respective other        reconfiguration control. For this purpose, the configuration        data of the respective sub-areas 8 on the FPGA chip and, if        applicable, the FPAA is read back and compared to the        corresponding saved reconfiguration data in the memory unit 4        assigned to the reconfiguration control RS that is not        reconfigured. The diagnostic function described above is        preferably executed after every reconfiguration process—i.e.,        event-driven. It is self-evident that the diagnosis may also be        executed in set regular or irregular intervals. If the check has        a negative result, the monitoring function initiates another        reconfiguration of the sub-areas that have been incorrectly        reconfigured. Alternatively, an alarm may be triggered.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A field device to determine or monitor aprocess variable in automation technology, with the field device meetingsafety standards required by a set safety-critical application,comprising: a sensor working according to a defined measuring principle;a control/evaluation unit that processes and evaluates the measuringdata provided by said sensor along at least three redundant and/ordiverse measuring channels in an uninterrupted measuring operation ofsaid sensor; and at least two redundant reconfiguration controlsassigned to said control/evaluation unit, wherein: one of said redundantreconfiguration controls reconfigures a faulty measuring channel of saidredundant and/or diverse measuring channels dynamically or partiallydynamically if a malfunction occurs in one of said redundant and/ordiverse measuring channels; two digital measuring channels are providedand said two reconfiguration controls are arranged on a dynamically FPGAchip (FPGA) which consists of a plurality of configurable logic blocksarranged in a mainly right-angled matrix consisting of columns and rows;said reconfigurable logic blocks of the FPGA chip are divided into foursub-groups which are mainly arranged symmetrically to each other, with afirst sub-area and a second sub-area having said two digital measuringchannels arranged in them, and a third sub-area and a fourth sub-areahaving said two reconfiguration controls arranged in them; said firstsub-area with said first digital measuring channel and said thirdsub-area with said first reconfiguration control are arranged relativeto each other in such a way that they are reconfigured jointly; and saidsecond sub-area with said second digital measuring channel and saidfourth sub-area with said second reconfiguration control are arrangedrelative to each other in such a way that they are reconfigured jointly.2. The field device according to claim 1, wherein: said FPGA chip (FPGA)is designed in such a manner that the smallest configurable andreconfigurable unit are said reconfigurable logic blocks arranged in onecolumn.
 3. The field device according to claim 1, wherein: saidcontrol/evaluation unit is designed in such a way that, if a malfunctionoccurs in one of said two digital measuring channels, saidreconfiguration control allocated to said correctly working measuringchannel proceeds to reconfigure the faulty measuring channel and theassociated reconfiguration control.
 4. The field device according toclaim 1, wherein: a third measuring channel is provided that isconfigured on an analog basis in an FPA; and wherein: said thirdmeasuring channel is reconfigured via one of said redundantreconfiguration controls if a malfunction occurs.
 5. The field deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: said first reconfiguration control has afirst memory unit assigned to it; said second reconfiguration controlhas a second memory unit assigned to it; said first memory unitallocated to said first reconfiguration control saves at least thereconfiguration data of said second measuring channel and said secondreconfiguration control; and said second memory unit allocated to saidsecond reconfiguration control saves at least the reconfiguration dataof said first measuring channel and said first reconfiguration control.6. The field device according to claim 5, wherein: the reconfigurationdata of said third measuring channel that is preferably configured on ananalog basis in one or more FPAAs (FPAA) being saved in both memoryunits.
 7. The field device according to claim 1, wherein: the individualsub-areas of the FPGA chips (FPGA) are spaced from each other by aprohibited area in such a way that a change in the temperature and/orvoltage in a sub-area does not have any safety-critical influence on oneof the neighboring sub-areas.
 8. The field device according to claim 1,wherein: said reconfiguration controls checks during a normal measuringmode in set or event-driven intervals whether the reconfiguration datasaved in the respective memory units correspond to the currentconfiguration data used for the configuration of the respectivesub-areas.
 9. The field device according to claim 1, wherein: eachreconfiguration control checks in a measuring mode in set orevent-driven intervals whether the reconfiguration data saved in saidmemory unit assigned to the respective other reconfiguration control arecorrect.
 10. The field device according to claim 1, wherein: the FPGAchip (FPGA) is allocated a configuration interface and each FPAA (FPAA)being allocated a configuration interface which serve(s) to reconfigurethe respective sub-areas of the FPGA chip (FPGA) or at least one FPAA(FPAA) in case of a malfunction.
 11. The field device according to claim10, further comprising: a control unit that controls the access of saidreconfiguration controls to said configuration interfaces of the FPGAchip (FPGA) and/or the FPAA (FPAA).